Opinion: Papal proceedings captivate ‘secular' Quebec

Montreal Gazette

09-05-2025

Op Eds
A rare moment of international communion. That's how a friend of mine — although far from being a practising Christian — poetically described the scene on Thursday as millions of Catholics around the world held their breath, watching white smoke rise from a small chimney in Rome on TV screens at home and at work.
A new pope had been chosen. And here we all were, anxiously waiting to learn which cardinal had been elected by the conclave to lead a church with which many Quebecers, still today, have a complicated relationship.
For over three centuries, the Catholic Church dominated Quebec society. It dictated public policy, controlled institutions such as health care and education, and even influenced election results. Its impact has left an indelible mark on our culture, social behaviour and laws — an influence still felt today, at least to some extent.
And while the church brought positive contributions to many areas of society, it also left deep, lasting scars. For decades, Indigenous children had their rights stripped away in residential schools; orphans and students were physically and sexually abused by priests and nuns; patients in psychiatric hospitals endured barbaric experimental treatments under the clergy's watch; homosexuals were rejected and persecuted simply because of who they loved; and women were denied autonomy over their own bodies — just to name a few examples.
That's why, during the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, after centuries of control by an all-powerful church, Quebecers suddenly and collectively decided to take back their lives and cast religion aside. Or did we, really?
Today, Quebec proudly defines itself as a secular society. The CAQ government even reinforced the separation of church and state a few years ago with Bill 21, which bans government employees in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols during work hours.
And yet, here we are again, watching fervently as the media provide around-the-clock coverage of a new pope's election. Correspondents are sent to the Vatican; experts analyze every word, gesture and symbol as Leo XIV steps onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica; and questions such as 'how do popes choose their new name?' are answered.
It is sometimes striking how Quebecers — especially francophones — react when it comes to the Catholic Church. On one hand, we reject its influence; on the other, communities rally to save their local churches, calling them integral to our heritage and social fabric. Many remain deeply affected by the church's darker legacy, and yet still wish to preserve its remnants in our physical and cultural landscape.
We no longer care about church doctrine, and yet tens of thousands gathered in Quebec City during the 2022 visit of the late Pope Francis.
Even in our National Assembly, a crucifix remained above the Speaker's throne until 2019 — a relic from the 1930s symbolizing the church's supremacy over civil law. Its removal was contested by some who claimed it as cultural heritage. Today, it rests inside a glass display case in the assembly, like a museum piece to be cherished and celebrated.
People in the rest of Canada often ask: 'What does Quebec want?' When it comes to religion, this week's events have once again shown how torn Quebecers are, caught between honouring their Catholic roots and confronting their painful past.
So, are we truly a secular society, or is it only when it suits us? Pretty much like the deliberations of the conclave that just took place, the mystery remains.
Raphaël Melançon is a public affairs consultant and political analyst. He previously worked as a journalist and political adviser at all three levels of government.
This story was originally published May 9, 2025 at 2:21 PM.